Upright and Locked Position

Posted on by stilllearning2b
A seat graphic on a Song airplane.
A seat graphic on a Song airplane. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I came across this article on Mind Body Green tonight and, boy, did it ever strike a chord.  Just last week, I was in yoga class.  This class is a bit advanced for me; there are often poses that I cannot fully acquire and that I am working towards.  The instructor had us move into some bind (I don’t know the name, but we got there from a revolved crescent lunge).  I found myself getting frustrated; my hips were tight and not allowing a full twist, I couldn’t figure out my left from my right (gotta love the Twister-effect of those binds), and I couldn’t manage to get the strap I was using in both hands at the same time.  Eventually, I froze.  I stopped breathing.  My mind locked and the body followed.  Luckily, the instructor saw me and provided assistance.  I was able to complete the full pose on the other side with little trouble.

I saw this same response in one of my students today.  She was struggling with the math.  Eventually, she froze.  She stopped breathing.  Her mind locked and her body followed.  I was more patient than I may have otherwise been, remembering my recent experience.  Anytime we are facing something unfamiliar and uncomfortable, it is easy to respond this way, but easy does not mean best.

Next time I am in a bind, I am going to try to breath and surrender rather than get stuck in an upright and locked position.

zoe backbend
zoe backbend (Photo credit: hep)
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Taming the Monkey Mind: Days 6 & 7

Posted on by stilllearning2b

It is easier for me to meditate after I’ve exercised.  Shocking, I know.  Exhaust the body and the mind calms too.  I have always done better with more active forms of meditation: yoga, walking meditations, etc., but a) they’re not always practical and b) I want to learn to be still, body and mind.

I am enjoying trying different guided meditations and getting a feeling for what works well for me.  I am mainly downloading free podcasts (gotta love those podcasts!).

I tried a different guided mediation that allowed my mind to journey while the body remained still.  The meditation consisted of imagery that guided the listener through a meadow, down some steps, through a woodland, and to a pool.  Just this suggestion of movement made me more comfortable, more relaxed.  I think I might use this mediation and others like it when I am antsy and feeling the need for movement.

I was only able to do a short meditation this morning before work.  I found myself scatterbrained and irritated with the kids today.  I wonder if there is a connection?  I fully intended to take a few moments at work to breath and relax, but it never happened.  I’m not sure why I seem to separate that part of myself from my job, but I do.  I would like to make meditation a part of me, a part that doesn’t disappear when I put on high heels.

This evening, I did a meditation that used a special breathing technique: short, somewhat sharp inhale followed by a quick, thorough exhale.  I really liked this method for quickly removing tension and stress from the body after work (again, tough day today).

This is about the point where I have started to slack off in the past.  Hold me to my promise, guys.  If I haven’t posted about the meditation challenge in a few days, it means the monkeys are running the asylum:)

I love how wise and calm this guy looked hangi...
I love how wise and calm this guy looked hanging out on the Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh. I wonder if he teaches yoga and meditation too? Probably really flexible! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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He May be a Character, but I Narrate the Story

Posted on by stilllearning2b
books
books (Photo credit: bitmask)

This one mental shift helped me let go of some of the anger I was holding towards my ex-husband.

Initially, I viewed both of us as characters in some twisted romance turned psychological drama.  He, of course, was the antagonist, performing all sorts of unspeakable acts towards me.  I was fearful of turning each page, afraid of what horrors would await me.  I felt powerless, victimized.

Then I realized, although I may not have the power to write my story, I can shift into the position of the narrator, while still remaining in the story.  As the narrator, I have the ability to interpret his actions, guide the story, and shift the focus.  I could not control the actions of the antagonist, but I could surely control how I wove them into the story.  This guise also allows me to step back from the action, gaining perspective and a broader view.

He will always be a character in my story, but as my own narrator, I choose to make him a minor one.

On the Menu: Cancer-Fighting Tacos, Black Beans Plus, and Banana Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding

Posted on by stilllearning2b

I have today off (yippee!), so I am doing my cooking today.  I started off this morning with a doctor’s appointment.  It went really well.  She was the one who took care of me at my lowest (emotionally and physically, as I lost 20 lbs after he left).  It was great to see her and she enjoyed seeing me healthy and happy.  Now that I’m back to fighting weight, let’s get to the menu!

Soft Tacos With Mushrooms, Cabbage and Chipotle Ranchero Salsa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My main dish this week consists of these unique tacos from The New York Times.  I love their flavor, ease of cooking, and low calorie stats.  I have never bothered to make the salsa; I simply stir a little Tabasco Chipotle Sauce into my normal, cheap, industrial size salsa.  The queso fresca is so delightfully salty and tangy that I never feel the need to add any additional salt.

Black Beans Plus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted some extra protein as well as some red veggies for the week.  I began by lightly sauteing red bell peppers, onion, and a little garlic in olive oil.  I then added some black pepper and chipotle seasoning from Penzey’s Spices.  Next, I stirred in 2 cans of black beans (drained) and simmered gently to let the flavors mingle.  Finally, I topped it with some freshly squeezed lime juice and some tomato slices.

Banana Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my boyfriend’s favorite local restaurants is known for their banana chocolate chip pudding.  Their version is decadent.  Mine is not, but it still tastes pretty darn amazing.  I mixed the following in the blender: 1 ripe banana, 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 1 tsp vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon.  I pored this into a bowl and added 1/3 cup chia seeds and 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips.  Leave out for 1 hour, stirring frequently.  Transfer to fridge.  It will set in a few hours.  Top with additional chocolate chips to serve.

I had some of the taco filling left over, so it became my lunch:)  I kept myself away from the pudding though…

 

 

Wisdom From Grandma’s Fridge

Posted on by stilllearning2b

My grandmother loves pictures. Her entire house is a scrapbook, a display of photographs spanning decades, cataloging the lives of those she loves.  Her fridge is the ever-changing display of the pictures she wants to look at most.  I don’t get to grandma’s nearly as often as I would like, but when I do, I always look at the pictures on the fridge to quickly catch up.

It has been interesting to see my own picture evolve over the years, especially the ones taken with others.  When I was a child, many of my pictures contained one or both of my parents or one of my grandparents.  Later, many of them featured my cousins.  In my latter teenage years, my ex began to enter the pictures.  I remember two of her fridge in particular: one taken in the airport when we were departing from a trip to visit my grandmother and another from when I was awarded teacher of the year.

When he left, obviously those pictures had to be replaced.

The first replacement was taken with the police officer who arrested my ex-husband.  It was somewhat surreal to see that photo surrounded by pictures of family.  But that man became family of a sort that summer, as he looked out for me  as family would.  This picture was taken less than two weeks after he left.  My ex was in jail at the time of the photo.

The next replacement was a picture taken with my current partner (at a baseball game, one of my new passions) after we had only been seeing each other a few weeks.

“Grandma, I exclaimed!,” shocked at seeing his face up there so soon. “It has only been a few weeks; isn’t it kind of soon to have his picture up.”

“It’s not like it’s up there with glue,” she calmly replied with a sly smile.

That day I received a bit of Zen wisdom from my grandmother and her fridge.  Nothing is permanent; everything will change.

I am happy to report that almost four years later, the picture has been replaced, but the man in it has not.